Arsenal club captain Thomas Vermaelen has hinted that he may seek a move away from the Emirates in order to gain more first team football.

The centre-back has been forced to watch from the substitute's bench as Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have flourished at the heart of the Gunners' defence.

The 27-year-old is refusing to make any rash decisions but admits that he may need to move to pastures new if he is to secure a place in the Belgium squad for next year's World Cup.

"I'll have to think about that when it's necessary. January is still a few months ahead," he told the Daily Mail. "Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that's for sure.

"People ask me if I panic because I'm not playing a lot but I'm not.

"I have spoken to the manager but it will remain private between us. Things can happen in a split second and change my situation. That can happen tomorrow or next weekend.

"In that case, we will speak differently in January. I have to be ready for that."